The birth control pill is an easy-to-use, affordable way to avoid pregnancy. But are there any risks?

Many women do have symptoms, such as loss of sex drive or weight gain, but beyond that, most women don't know much about the health-related side effects.

In this interview, Andrea Thorpe, LAc opens the lid on the topic of the possible effects of long-term birth control use. Many women are on birth control pills for 10-15 years, and the long-term effects are something to be considered:

Synthetic estrogen dysregulates the thyroid

Birth control pill casues nutrient depletion

Hormone receptor site have a downregulated response

Toxic burden on the system of long-term medication use

Toxic/ inflammed state and nutrient depletion affects the gut and immune system

Autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis then becomes a possiblity

Ovulation and fertility are often delayed after birth control use

Andrea also covers some of the healing options such as:

How acupuncture benefits the system

Why Andrea prefers foods over supplements

When it's time to see a functional medicine practitioner

Andrea is an amazing practitioner, and if you can see her in the LA area, I highly recommend her. Her clinic: http://lotuscenter.com/

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